The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Dublin as the Republic of Ireland welcomes Hungary to the Aviva Stadium. Both sides enter the campaign with contrasting histories and ambitions, and this opening clash could set the tone for their qualification journeys.
Ireland’s New Dawn Under Heimir Hallgrímsson
It’s been over two decades since Ireland last appeared at a World Cup (2002), but optimism is slowly returning. Under Hallgrímsson, the Boys in Green endured a shaky start, losing four of their first six games. However, a four-match unbeaten run (W2, D2) has steadied the ship.
Their home form at the Aviva Stadium is also encouraging — three games unbeaten (W2, D1) with the last defeat coming a year ago. Yet, history weighs heavily: Ireland has won just one of their previous nine home World Cup qualifiers (D5, L3), underlining their struggles when the stakes are highest.
Hungary’s Quest to End a 40-Year Wait
Hungary’s last World Cup appearance came in 1986, and nine campaigns have since ended in disappointment. Their recent run (D1, L4 between November 2024 and June 2025) suggests inconsistency, but Marco Rossi’s men arrive buoyed by a 2-1 away win against Azerbaijan.
Hungary’s away form is mixed — just two wins in their last eight trips, though their 2022 WCQ record (W3, D1, L1) proved they can grind results on the road. Their challenge will be consistency, particularly without the influence of veteran midfielder András Schäfer.
Head-to-Head Record
- Hungary dominated early encounters (W4, D4 across the first 8).
- Ireland are unbeaten in the last six meetings (W3, D3) since 1989.
- Their most recent match, a June 2024 friendly, saw Ireland win.
Momentum in this rivalry clearly sits with Ireland.
Key Stats to Know
- Ireland: Have failed to score 3+ goals in 15 of their last 16 matches.
- Ireland: Just 1onewin in last 9ninehome WCQs (D5, L3).
- Hungary: No clean sheet in the last six matches.
- Hungary: Scored first in 4 of their 5 WCQ games last cycle.
These trends suggest a competitive game with goals at both ends, but not a goal-fest.
Players to Watch
- Adam Idah (Ireland) – All five of his international goals have come at home, including the opener in their last H2H. His ability to strike early could be decisive.
- Barnabás Varga (Hungary) – Scored and assisted in their win over Azerbaijan, and with 12 goal contributions in 11 club games this season, he is their biggest attacking weapon.
Notably, Ireland will miss the in-form Troy Parrott, while Hungary must cope without András Schäfer.
Prediction: Ireland vs Hungary
This is a clash of two nations desperate to prove they belong on football’s biggest stage. Ireland’s solid home record, coupled with Hungary’s leaky defense, suggests the Boys in Green will find the net. However, Hungary’s knack for scoring first away from home makes them dangerous opponents.
💡 Predicted Result: Republic of Ireland 2-1 Hungary
Expect Ireland to edge it with exactly two goals — a betting angle that balances their scoring limitations with Hungary’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Betting Insight for Kenyan Fans
For punters in Kenya, this match offers excellent betting opportunities. Ireland’s tendency to score twice at home and Hungary’s inability to keep clean sheets make “Ireland to score exactly two goals” a value pick. Another smart market is Both Teams to Score (BTTS), given Hungary’s attacking quality through Barnabás Varga.
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